Percussion-fuse.



-E. A. GATHMANN.

PERCUSSION FUSE.

APPLICATION FILED DBO.12,1905.

Patented'Feb. 22, 1910.

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Patented Feb. 22, 1910. 2 sauces-sum 2;

. EJLGATH PERCUSSION APPLIOATI 950,205.

vn N w EMIL GATHMANN, OF SOUTH BETHLEHLEM, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO BETHLE- HEM STEEL COMPANY. OF SOUTH BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION or PENNSYLVANIA.

PERCUSSION-FUSE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 12, 1905. Serial No. 291,414.

To all "uh/mm it may concern:

Be it known that I, EMIL A. GATHMANN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of South Bethlehem, Northampton county, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Percussion-Fuses, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to various improvements in percussion fuses.

Some of the objects of the invention'are; to render the fuse more secure against accidental discharge, to render it more sensitive. in operation so that the fuse will explode when the shotis checked in its flightby a. comparatively thin plate, to delay the action of the fuse slightly so that a brief period of time will elapse between the detonation of the primer and the ignition of the exploding charge in the shell, and to produce a fuse of maximum strength and etficiency with a minimum of metal.

The invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which,

. Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional View of a fuse embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a section on the line -2 of Fig. l the parts being in different relative positions; Fig. 3 is a partial longitudinal section on the line 33 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4. is a bottom plan view of the fuse; Fig. 5 is a central sectional View of another form of fuse em bodying certain features of the invention; Fig. 6 is a section on the line 66 of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of the fuse shown in Fig.5; and Fig. 8 is a detail.

teferring to F igs. 1 to 4 inclusive, 10 indicates the fuse stock and 11 aportion of the rear end of the shell into which the fuse is screwed.

In the use of shells provided with percussion fuses, it has been found that the fuse sometimes blows out of the shell and thus prevents the proper bursting of the shell. This has been due to an insuiiicient screw joint between the fuse and the shell. In other cases where the body of the fuse stock remains in position in the shell, the hammer the forward end of the fuse stock is a cavity 13 for the hammer 11. I

preferably use a length being greater than its diameter. The hammer in fuses of this class has been blown out sometimes by the yielding of the wall between the hammer cavity and the rear end of the fuse stock, and sometimes by the yielding of the threaded connection with the shell in the rear of the hammer cavity, in which case the entire stock in the rear of the hammer cavity is forced out with the hammer. In my present construction the hammer cavity is in the forward end of the fuse stock and a. large proportion, onehalf more or less, of the threaded connection 12 with the shell is in the rear of the hammer cavity. This insures a proper support for the hammer. The metal between the rear end of the hammer cavity and the rear end of the fuse stock may be safely reduced in weight by forming acavity 15 in the rear end of the stock. .This cavity leaves an arch of metal 16 supporting the hammer, the said arch being supported by the thread 1.2. In this manner a maximum of strength and security is obtained with a minimum of metal. The cavity 15 may be rectangular in crosssection, as shown in Fig. 4, or it may be circular in cross-section, as illustrated in cated by 15. The rectangular cavity shown in Fig. i will receive a key or wrench for screwing the fuse stock into place in the shell. If a circular cavity'be adopted, as shown in Figs. 1 and 7, it is preferablypro vided with two or more sockets 17 to receive awrench or spanner. The pressure from Patented Feb. 22, 1910..

ed opening in the base of the shell 11. In

hannnerof considerable size and weight, its

Figs. 5 and 7, in which the cavity is indi the propelling charge within the cavity expands the rear end of the fuse stock forming a gas check.

The preferred relative proportions of the fuse stock may be approximately expressed in terms of its diameter. Thus the length of the threaded engagement of the fuse with the projectile should be equal to or greater than one and one-half diameters of the fuse. 5 The length of said threaded engagement in the rear of the hammer chamber should be 6 about equal to the diameter of the fuse stock or greater. Otherwise stated, it should be greater than the diameter of the hammer chamber. The solid metal in the rear of the hammer chamber should also'be greater in depth than the diameter of the hammer i i chamber.

The rear end of the fuse stock is provided with a flange 18 which is preferably undercut on its inner face, thereby providing an annular edge 19 which makes a tight joint I with the shell and aids informing an eflicient gas check, as shown in Figs. 1, 5 and 8. l

Connected with the forward end of the fuse stock is a magazine stock 20 containing a charge 21 of powder which is adapted to be ignited when the primer 22 is struck by the firing point 23 of the hammer. The ex- I plosion of the magazine stock ignites'the primarycharge of explosive in the shell and for the purpose of delaying the explosion of the shell charge an instant to permit the shell to penetrate before exploding, I con? struct the magazine stock of strong tough material so that its rupture is delayed until the powder charge 21 is well burned.

As shown in Fig. 1, theupper end of the magazine stock is closed by a plate 20 'over the edge of which the lateral wall of 'the stock iscrimped, as shown in 20*.

The magazine stock is united to the fuse stock by a screw joint 24 and its lower end is solid and provided with several channels and openings for the safety devices as follows. In the lower end of the magazine stock, preferably in central position, is thei seat 25 for the primer 22. Extending from this seat to the powder chamber is a channel 26 through which the flame from the] primer passes when the primer is detonated. 2 Arranged transversely to the channel 26 is an opening 27 in which is a radially movable valve 28 adapted when in normal posi tion to close the channel 26 and prevent flame from the primer from reaching the powd er .21. The valve is normally held in this position by a light s ring 29 and it is adapted to be moved agaifibdthe pressure of the spring by centrifugal force when the shell is fired so as to/ bring its channel 30 into line with the chan'hel 26, thus opening communication between the primerandthe I powder chamber.

5 of the valve.

' flight of the shell it is retarded locking the valve seen that when the valve 28 is in normal position it is locked in such position by a spring bolt 31 which enters the channel 30 and a second spring bolt 32 which enters an annular groove 33 in the enlarged rear end Each of the bolts 31, 32 is provided with a light spring to normally hold it. in engagement with the valve. It will be seen that the mass of each bolt is so great that the centrifugal forces produced by the rotation of the shell in flight will overcome the springs and withdraw the bolts 31 and 32 and then move the valve 28 g against its spring 29, thus bringing the anthe channel nular groove 30 into line with 26. Instead of an annular groove'any opening or perforation through the valve 28 will suflice to open the channel 26, as will be clearly understood. The cavities in which the valve and locking bolts are located are closed at their outer ends by a ring 34 which forms a bottom for the several springs.

I combine with the valve 28 a means for positively preventing the. firing pin from striking the primer previous to the firing of the shell. As shown. this consists of a stop which is interposed between the forward end of the hammer and the inner end of the valve piece 28 and which is adapted to slide in an opening in the inner end of the maga zine stock. \Vhen theparts are assembled, the hammer is thus positively prevented from moving forward, as illustrated in Figs.

2 and 3. WVhen the shell isv fired the bolts .31, 32 are first withdrawn, the valve is then shifted to open the channel 26 and atthe same time it frees the stop 35.

by the resistance of the air while the hammer tends to move forward due to its initial velocity. The stop 35 is therefore moved forward more or less during the flight of the shell and it passes in front of the valve 28, thus in its open position as lVhen the shell finally inertia of the hammer exploding the primer, the primer passes shown in Fig. 1. strikes an object the carries it. forward and the flame from through the channel 26 and ignites the powder in the magazine stock. The latter explodes after a brief interval igniting the shell charge.

Referring to Fig. 5, the magazine stock 36 is closed at its outer end, the end and lateral Walls being integral. The inner end is closed by a plug 37 in which is a seat for the primer 38. The magazine stock is screwed into the fuse stock 39 as in Fig. 1. The hammer 40 is normally held in safe position by a coiled spring 41 which is thrown out by centrifugal force permitting the hammerto move forward when the proiectile strikes.

During the Having described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Pat cut is,

1. In a percussion fuse having a stationary primer seat and a channel through which the flame of the primer discharges, a valve adapted to normally close said channel. and means for pos tively locking the valve in said normally closed position, said means being operable upon firing the shell to unlock the valve.

2. In a percussion fuse having a channel through which the flame of the primer discharges, a valve adapted to normally close said channel, and means for positively locking the valve in closed position, said means being adapted to be operated by-centrifugal force to release the valve.

I 3. In a percussion fuse having a channel through which the fiame of the primer discharges, a valve adapted to normally close said channel, and a movable bolt adapted to lock the valve in closed position, said bolt and said valve being movable by centrifugal force during the flight of the shell whereby the valve is unlocked and the channel opened.

4. In a percussion fuse having a channel through which the primer discharges. a

valve adapted to normally close said channel,

said valve having an opening adapted to aline with said channel when the valve is opened, in combination with a bolt adapted to engage said opening and lock the valve when closed.

5. In a through which the primer discharges. a valve adapted to normally close said channel, a spring arranged to move said valve to closed position. and a spring operated bolt arranged to lock the valve in closed position, said bolt being adapted to be withdrawn and said valve opened by centrifugal action during the flight of the shell.

6. In a percussion fuse having a channel through which the primer discharges, a valve adapted to normally close said channel, a pair of spring actuated bolts adapted to engage said valve to lock the same in normal position, the said bolts being arranged to be Withdrawn by centrifugal action during the flight of the shell.

T. In a percussion fuse having a channel through Which the primer discharges, a valve adapted to normally close said channel, a movable hammer and astop for normally-holding the hammer out of contact with the primer, said valve cooperating with the stop and releasing the stop when the valve is opened. r

8. In a percussion! fuse having a channel through which the primer discharges, a valve adapted to normally close said channel, a movable hammer, anda stop for nor- )ercussion fuse havin a channel mally holding the hammer out of contact with the primer, said stop being arranged between the valve and the hammer and said valve and stop being so related that the stop is released by the opening movement of the valve.

9. In a percussion fuse having a channel through which the primer discharges, a valve adapted to normally close said channel. a movable hammer, and a stop for normally holding the hammer out of contact with the primer, said stop cooperating with the valve to hold the hammer and being adapted to move into the path of the valve during the flight of the shell. whereby the valve is prevented from closing.

10. In a percussion fuse having a channel through which the primer discharges. a valve adapted to'normally close said channel, a movable hammer and a stop for normally holding the hammer out of contactwith the primer. said stop being arranged longitudinally of the fuse'and normally interposed between and abutting against the hammer and the valve.

11. In a percussion fuse having a channel through which the primer discharges, a valve adapted to normally close said channel. a movable hammer. means for normally holding the hammer out of contact with the primer, said means being controlled by the valve, whereby the hammer is released as the valve is opened.

12. In a percussion fuse having a channel through which the primer discharges, a valve adapted to normally close said channel. a movable hammer, and a movable stop, said stop being adapted in one position to abut againstthe valve to hold the hammer out of contact with the primer and in another position to prevent the valve from closing.

13. In a percussion fuse, the combination with a fuse stock having a hammer chamber and a movable hammer therein, of a magazine stock rigidly connected with the fuse stock. a. channel leading from the hammer chamber to the magazine stock, a primer arranged to discharge through said channel, a valve in said channel. and means for positively locking the valve in closed position, said means being shiftable by centrifugal force to unlock the valve during the flight of the projectile.

14. In a percussion fuse having a channel through which the flame of the primer discharges, a valve adapted to normally close" said channel, and means for positively locking said valve in closed position, said means being shiftable by centrifugal force to unlock the valve during the flight of the projectile.

15. In a percussion fuse, a fuse stock havingin its forward nd a hammer chamber and in its rear end a centrally arranged cavity provided with means for engaging a wrench or spanner, the metal surounding said cavity forming an arch to resist the rearward impact of the hammer due to the explosion of the shell charge.

16. In a percussion fuse, a fuse stock threaded for engagement with the projectile, the said stock having atits rear end an undercut flange provided 'with an acute 10 angled edge adapted to engage the rear of the projectile to form a gas check.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EMIL A. GATHMANN. Witnesses:

HERMAN H. DAvIs, P. G. NOLAN. 

